Wine: More where that (Oktoberfest) came from

Have you had your fill of Oktoberfest beers yet? It’s about time to switch things up, and we’ve got the perfect transition drink for you… a dry white wine with a name that boasts umlauts.

When it comes to wine, Germany is most known for its rieslings (they fall on a spectrum — with corresponding names denoting each level — from sweet to dry, with most in the “sweet” category, generally).

A dry wine would make for an easier transition from your Oktoberfest glut, however, and this Austrian pick (a close cousin to Germany) hit the spot: 2012 Hugo Grüner Veltliner ($14 at MacLaren Wines).

It’s a bright, light little wine — dry, but still with fruity green apple and almost-fresh-squeezed lemon-lime flavors. Grüner veltliners are iconically Austrian and typically shoot for a peppery flavor profile with the taste of stone fruits, but that’s often thanks to very careful growing conditions; this one was likely produced en mass.

The Hugo grüner veltliner goes down smoothly on its own, but I could see it pairing well with a fall harvest salad, breaded and baked fish or a cheese-and-salty-meat tray.

Or, hey, maybe you work it in between rounds of your other fall favorite.